Forest Residents Association | CONSTITUTION OF FORA

THE CONSTITUTION

NAME

The name of the Association will be Forest Residents Association, also referred to as FORA

AREA OF MEMBERSHIP

Full details and a map of the area of membership, incorporating The Leytonstone Conservation Area and surrounding roads, are included in the attached schedule (see Map on website). The area of membership ? designed to fall within appropriate, recognisable and manageable boundaries -- may be changed by the Executive Committee if thought necessary, following consultation with members.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

a) To encourage a community spirit and promote co-operation among members on matters of common interest.

b) To protect and improve the natural and built environment in and around the area of membership.

c) To protect and improve the general amenities, welfare and environmental and communal rights of all members.

d) The Association shall be fully inclusive and shall have no political or religious affiliation, but may affiliate to organisations which could help in pursuing its aims and objectives.

MEMBERSHIP

a) Full membership shall be open to all residents of the FORA area who support the aims and objectives of the Association and who pay the annual subscription.

b) Associate membership shall be made available, on payment of the relevant subscription, to:

? All previous members of the Association who no longer live in the area.
? All persons who trade from business premises in the Area

Associate members shall not be eligible to vote at the Annual General meeting of the Association, nor may they serve on its managing Executive Committee.

MANAGEMENT

a) The Association shall be managed by an Executive Committee which shall be
elected at an Annual General Meeting.

b) The Executive Committee will consist of the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer,
other officers and members but not exceeding twelve in total.

c) Members will be co-opted by the Executive Committee to represent each
road. They can, but do not have to be members of the Executive Committee.

d) Meetings of the Executive Committee will be conducted in accordance with rules agreed and revised by itself when necessary. Voting at Committee meetings will be by a show of hands and resolutions will be passed by a simple majority.

e) A quorum of the Executive Committee will consist of no less than five members.

f) The Executive Committee may co-opt members by a simple majority of those present at a quorate meeting provided that the maximum number of Committee members is not exceeded.

g) The Committee may authorise or appoint sub-committees for specific purposes
and may delegate to such sub-committees such of its functions as it sees fit.

h) The Committee shall have the power to refuse membership or suspend or
exclude from membership or office any person whose conduct it considers has
or may bring the Association into disrepute, subject to giving that person the
right to be heard by the Committee.

i) Any Committee member who is absent from three consecutive Committee meetings and who on each occasion has not communicated to send apologies for absence shall be deemed to have resigned from the Committee.

j) Only the Chair or a Committee member appointed by the Chair will be
empowered to speak or write on behalf of the Association to the press or other
media.

k) The Committee shall have the authority to rule on the interpretation of the
Constitution should any issue arise as to its meaning. Back to top

Constitution: Subscriptions, AGM, Finance,Dissolution

SUBSCRIPTIONS

a) The subscription year will be from 1st June to 31st May.

b) The rates of annual subscription shall be £10 for a household, with a reduced fee of £5 for the usual concessions (pensioners, students in full-time education, low income on benefits) or such figures as the Association at its Annual General Meeting may fix from time to time with certain social events charged as extra items.

c) Any new member who joins during the course of any subscription year shall pay an appropriate proportion of the subscription for that year as follows:

After 1st September 75%

After 1st December 50%

After 1st March 25%

d) Subscription terms of membership for Associate Members will be fixed by the Committee.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

a) This will be held no later than 30 May each year for the purposes of receiving an annual report of the Executive Committee, the accounts of the Association, election of Executive Committee members and any other business for which due notice has been given. All Committee members will resign at the Annual
General Meeting but may offer themselves for re-election.

b) The quorum of an Annual General Meeting will be twice the number of
outgoing Executive Committee members plus two.

c) Any proposed amendments to the Constitution must be made at an Annual
General Meeting and be received in writing at least fourteen days
beforehand.
Amendments will be accepted if approved by at least two thirds of those
members present at such a meeting.

d) Serving Executive Committee members will continue to serve on the
Committee for twenty eight days after the election of a new Committee.

e) Voting at the Annual general Meeting will be by a show of hands and all motions other than motions to amend the constitution shall be passed on a simple majority. In the event of a tied vote on any motion the Chair shall have a casting vote.

FINANCE

a) All monies received by or on behalf of the Association will be applied to
further the aims and objectives of the Association and for no other purpose.

b) The Treasurer will keep proper records and accounts of the Association and
will operate bank account(s) in the name of the Association.

c) The accounts will be audited once a year by a person or persons approved
by the Executive Committee.

d) The financial year will end on 31 December each year.

e) All the accounts and books of the Association will be available for inspection
to any member on reasonable notice to the Treasurer.

f) The bank accounts(s) will have as signatories up to four and not less than
two members designated by the Committee, with any two to sign.

g) In the event of the Association being dissolved, any money accrued after payment of all outstanding debts will be donated to a charity or charities as determined by the Committee.

DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association may be dissolved only at an Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting, called by the Executive Committee for that purpose. A resolution to dissolve the Association must be supported by the votes of no fewer than two thirds of those present at the meeting. Notice for the meeting of a calendar month must be sent to all paid-up members.

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CONSTITUTION OF FORA

Constitution: Name, Area, Aims,Membership, Management

Constitution: Subscriptions, AGM, Finance,Dissolution

Constitution: Name, Area, Aims,Membership, Management

Constitution: Subscriptions, AGM, Finance,Dissolution